Monday, April 12, 2010

Julia Child's kitchen at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.


I have a secret. I am horrified of cooking. I cannot even boil water. I feel so incredibly inadequate in the kitchen. My mom also did not know how to cook(but she thought she did)that is a story for another day. I am lucky to have a husband who is an amazing cook. A lot of people might think this is just laziness on my behalf but it is not, I am hopeless when it comes to cooking. I admire women and men who can whip up a meal, even if just a simple meal. I have yet to do anything of the sort to my embarrassment. I even had friends offer to help but I freeze. I have flash backs to setting the kitchen on fire at school during home ec, no one got hurt and the fire was quickly extinguished. I was transfered to shop. I was never allowed to forget that incident. I dream of being able to cook, to set a lavish table or even a humble table with food prepared by my own hands. The thought of burning my own kitchen stops me in my tracks. I hope to beat this fear one day. I want my children to remember at least a special dish from me.

7 comments:

Samosas for One said...

I would love to cook with you Yoli!

Soojung Jo said...

Shop was way more fun than home ec anyways!

Soojung Jo said...

oh, ps. Maybe try a crock pot?

susanna said...

Just go for it, Yoli! Who cares if a recipe doesn't work out the first, second, third...time. I'm not a great cook, either, particularly when I'm tired or dreading having to make dinner so it makes a difference if the cookbook I sign out of the library looks interesting. Now that summer is here, I'm curious about spices. In any case, you are lucky to have a husband that cooks. The saying that the way to a man's heart is through food can work the other way 'round, can't it? Personally, I think waiters in high end restaurants (you know, with the tight white clothes wrapped around their waists) and men who aren't afraid to wear aprons are darn sexy!

Unknown said...

How scary. I have a lot of fears too- Heights being my biggest. At least you know the root of yours- not that helps you overcome it. How about food prep that doesn't involve the oven? There is so much you can do with cold ingredients and also amazing microwave dishes you could make! How about a crockpot? You can cook without every coming near a fire!

kitchu said...

i am not a good cook and don't like the kitchen. i was daughter #3, aka, "the clean up crew".

hope you find your way there. when you do, let me know your secrets. i am always convinced i WILL light a fire or at the very least, burn everything to a crisp.

Jocy said...

You could try a crockpot, or do simple recipes at first. I'm sorry that it is a paralyzing fear. My fear: swimming. And yet I need to live by water.